Expandable stents and method for making same stent delivery system

Abstract

The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements consist of ribbon-like material disposed in an undulating pattern. Portions of the expanded stent project outwardly into engagement with the vessel wall to more securely attach the stent.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A medical apparatus for introducing a stent into a body lumen, the apparatus comprising: 
       a catheter with an expandable balloon, wherein the expandable balloon is in a slightly inflated condition prior to introduction of the stent into a body lumen;  
       a stent mounted on the expandable balloon; and  
       a generally tubular sleeve positioned around and in contact with the stent, whereby the generally tubular sleeve assists in securing the stent onto the expandable balloon.  
     
     
       2. The medical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stent comprises a plurality of interconnected elements. 
     
     
       3. The medical apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the interconnected elements are generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       4. The medical apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the interconnected elements are interconnected by a plurality of connectors. 
     
     
       5. The medical apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one connector is positioned between and interconnects adjacent interconnected elements. 
     
     
       6. The medical apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the stent has a longitudinal length, and the connectors are longitudinally staggered along the longitudinal length of the stent. 
     
     
       7. A stent delivery system for introducing a stent into a body lumen, the stent delivery system comprising: 
       a stent delivery catheter with an expandable balloon, wherein the expandable balloon is in a slightly inflated condition prior to introduction of the stent into a body lumen;  
       a stent mounted on the expandable balloon; and  
       a generally tubular sleeve positioned around and in contact with the stent, whereby the generally tubular sleeve assists in securing the stent onto the expandable balloon.  
     
     
       8. The stent delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein the stent comprises a plurality of interconnected elements. 
     
     
       9. The stent delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the interconnected elements are generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       10. The medical apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the interconnected elements are interconnected by a plurality of connectors. 
     
     
       11. The medical apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein one connector is positioned between and interconnects adjacent interconnected elements. 
     
     
       12. The medical apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the stent has a longitudinal length, and the connectors are longitudinally staggered along the longitudinal length of the stent. 
     
     
       13. A stent delivery system for introducing a stent into a body lumen, the stent delivery system comprising: 
       a stent delivery catheter with an expandable balloon; and  
       a stent mounted on the expandable balloon, wherein the expandable balloon is in a slightly inflated condition prior to introduction of the stent into a body lumen, thereby securing the stent onto the expandable balloon.  
     
     
       14. The stent delivery system of  claim 13 , wherein the stent comprises a plurality of interconnected elements. 
     
     
       15. The stent delivery system of  claim 14 , wherein the interconnected elements are generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       16. The medical apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the interconnected elements are interconnected by a plurality of connectors. 
     
     
       17. The medical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stent has a length, and the generally tubular sleeve extends substantially the length of the stent. 
     
     
       18. The stent delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein the stent has a length, and the generally tubular sleeve extends substantially the length of the stent. 
     
     
       19. A stent delivery system for introducing a stent into a body lumen, the stent delivery system comprising: 
       a stent delivery catheter with an expandable balloon; and  
       a stent mounted on the expandable balloon, the stent having been secured to the expandable balloon by a slight inflation process.  
     
     
       20. The stent delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the stent comprises a plurality of interconnected elements. 
     
     
       21. The stent delivery system of  claim 20 , wherein the stent is formed from metal. 
     
     
       22. The stent delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the stent has a length, and the system further comprises: 
       a generally tubular sleeve extending substantially the length of the stent.